Dubai’s culinary scene has once again received the highest accolade as the Michelin Guide unveiled the updated list of restaurant winners for 2024 during a prestigious awards ceremony at One&Only One Za’abeel on July 4. The third edition of the Dubai Guide features a total of 106 restaurants, reflecting the city's ever-evolving gastronomic landscape. Notably, Jason Atherton’s ‘Row on 45’ has made an impressive debut with two stars, while four other restaurants have been awarded one Michelin Star and six new Bib Gourmands have been added.
This year’s guide now includes four restaurants with two Michelin stars, up from three in 2023, and fifteen one-star establishments, an increase from eleven last year. The number of Green Star recipients remains at three, while the total of Bib Gourmand restaurants has risen to eighteen. Four culinary greats received Michelin Special Awards, and eleven more restaurants were Michelin Selected, bringing the grand total of awarded eateries to 106.
The consistent improvement and diversity in Dubai’s restaurant offerings are evident with the addition of four new Michelin-star restaurants. While the city still awaits its first three-star establishment, the retention of stars by last year's winners highlights the impressive quality standards being maintained.
The 2024 Michelin Guide showcases Dubai’s dynamic and rapidly growing culinary reputation, reaffirming its status as a global food destination.
Dubai’s New Michelin Starred Restaurants
Row on 45
Row on 45, led by celebrated British chef Jason Atherton, has secured a prestigious two Michelin stars in Dubai’s latest guide. Located on the 45th floor of the Grosvenor House Hotel in Dubai Marina, the restaurant accommodates just 22 guests, offering an intimate dining experience. Atherton, known for his culinary prowess spanning over three decades, presents a 17-course tasting menu blending French techniques with Japanese ingredients like Hokkaido scallops and Saroma wagyu.
Executive chef Daniel Birk, a long-time collaborator with Atherton, oversees the kitchen, ensuring each dish reflects seasonal variations and creative innovations. The dining journey unfolds in three acts, beginning with a refined welcome in the Art Deco champagne lounge, followed by a main event overlooking the open kitchen, and culminating in a relaxed setting reminiscent of a Victorian library.
Row on 45 is a testament to fine-art dining, promising a gastronomic adventure that surprises and delights. Notably, the restaurant was added to the 50 Best Restaurants in the World list just four months after its debut, marking its swift ascent to culinary acclaim.
Smoked Room
In 2024, Chef Dani García introduced his acclaimed Madrid restaurant to the St. Regis Gardens on Palm Jumeirah. Situated behind sister restaurant Leña, Smoked Room offers an intimate dining experience for just 14 guests, featuring a large semi-circular table that overlooks a kitchen with open fire and grills. Dubbed 'Fire Omakase' by García, the immersive 11-course menu highlights the chef’s technical skill and creativity, with standout dishes like sea cucumber carbonara.
Desserts, including the expertly crafted burnt pumpkin purée and mandarin sorbet, are true highlights. The restaurant, inspired by its three-Michelin-starred counterpart in Madrid, focuses on seasonal produce and the essence of smoke, which infuses each dish with depth and complexity.
Achieving a Michelin star within six months of opening, Smoked Room exemplifies García’s dedication to culinary artistry. This exclusive venue, with its smoky culinary journey, offers a unique dining experience befitting royalty.
Sagetsu by Tetsuya Wakuda
Chef Tetsuya Wakuda, one of Australia’s most accomplished chefs, brings his culinary excellence to Sagetsu by Tetsuya Wakuda, located on Level 24 of The Link at One&Only One Za’abeel. The restaurant offers a unique blend of Japanese omakase-style dining and haute cuisine, focusing on the freshest ingredients and French techniques. Guests are treated to stunning city skyline views and a calming atmosphere with bamboo and wood décor.
The name Sagetsu, combining the Japanese words for 'sand' and 'moon,' reflects the harmonious blend of gastronomy and astronomy. Signature dishes include Botan Shrimp with Hokkaido sea urchin and Sagetsu Oscietra caviar and Japanese wild-caught bluefin tuna carpaccio with winter truffle. Chef Tetsuya, celebrated for his mastery of Japanese ingredients and French artistry, curates a menu that complements the changing seasons. His accolades include the Order of Australia Medal and recognition as one of Japan’s Masters of Cuisine.
Sagetsu's elegant dining room, accommodating up to 84 guests, creates the perfect backdrop for this exquisite culinary journey, enhanced by the restaurant's remarkable sake selection and impeccable service.
La Dame de Pic
Chef Anne-Sophie Pic, the world's most decorated female Michelin-starred chef, brings her exceptional vision to La Dame de Pic in Dubai. Situated in The Link, this elegant restaurant offers a choice between two set menus: the four-course Harmony menu and the seven-course Symphony menu, both available in vegetarian and vegan options. Each course is presented with detailed explanations, reflecting the waitstaff's passion and knowledge.
The interiors are moody and feature soft pink hues, rich plums, light clay tones, and metallic accents, with a captivating peony bas-relief adorning the walls. An open kitchen at the heart of the dining space immerses guests in the culinary process. Chef Pic's innovative techniques and unexpected ingredient pairings, such as wild John Dory with razor clams, create a unique gastronomic experience that amazes diners with each course.
With 11 Michelin stars and a legacy rooted in her family’s Maison Pic, Chef Pic combines classic French roots with modern sensibilities. Her signature 'suffusion' technique infuses each dish with depth and complexity, complemented by exquisite drinks. La Dame de Pic exudes elegance and power, offering a refined and immersive dining journey.
Orfali Bros
Chef Mohammad Orfali, a celebrated figure in UAE’s culinary scene, redefines Levantine cuisine at Orfali Bros Bistro in Wasl 51. Alongside his pastry-specialist siblings, Wassim and Omar, the kitchen fuses Middle Eastern dishes with Japanese, Latin American, and European influences.
The menu, designed for sharing, features local and seasonal produce, often sourced from UAE farms. Highlights include shish barak dumplings served with garlicky yoghurt and wagyu beef kebabs topped with tangy sour cherry sauce. Known for their innovative techniques and storytelling, Orfali offers a dining experience that combines nostalgia with modernity.
The casual bistro praised for its bold flavours and intricate presentations, has earned a spot on MENA's 50 Best Restaurants list, and is now a well-deserved Michelin star. The inviting space, with both indoor and outdoor seating, reflects the bistro's welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere.
Final Take
Dubai's culinary landscape continues to evolve, marked by the 2024 Michelin Guide's recognition of new and existing stars. The fact that previous winners retained their stars shows the consistency and dedication of Dubai’s chefs and restaurateurs and the city’s ambition to become a leading global food destination.
